Women’s Struggle for a Voice in Gaming Culture Among Youth in Türkiye

Abstract

It is important to examine how video games affect gender-based dynamics in society as their popularity continues to rise. Video games can be a powerful force in shaping perceptions of social reality, including teenage gamers’ perceptions of gender roles. The impact of video games may be more influential for teenagers who are maturing their expectations, thoughts, and attitudes by providing images and messages that can shape the perceptions of gender roles and societal expectations of appearances. Thus, the paper aims to introduce the gender insights of teenage gamers in Türkiye by conducting separate focus group discussions for male and female teenage gamers via the Zoom platform in June 2021. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis under seven themes; representation of game style; depiction of characters in video games; reflection about stereotypes towards gamers; equality of characters in video games; bullying in video games; representation of others in video games; and perspective on gender equality. The findings suggest that both male and female teenagers are more open-minded about gender equality and aware of the struggles of change. However, when their insights are researched in detail it is clear that male gamers still perceive stereotypic gender roles whereas female gamers naturalized gender equality.